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The Toronto Heliconian Club, a non-profit organization, is the oldest association of its kind in Canada, founded in 1909 to give women in the arts and letters an opportunity to meet socially and intellectually. Members range from women who have earned great distinction to those in the early stages of their careers.

Part of rural Toronto when it was built in 1875, Heliconian Hall–designated a National Historic Site in 2011–is situated among leading art galleries in today’s Yorkville. Original elements of the Carpenter’s Gothic board-and-batten church and its rose window have been restored to their former glory. The air-conditioned hall with vaulted ceiling provides stellar acoustics, making the club ideal for musical and dramatic presentations. For information on renting and availability, contact the General Manager.

Canada is blessed with wilderness rich in varied landscapes and populated with a diversity of plants and animals that share our land. Tragically the air, trees and water, and many species are in grave danger. Animals and birds are losing their habitats through agri-farming and climate change. Pollution and irresponsible mining are damaging forests and waterways. Through original artwork and music, the Heliconian Club is dedicating the month of October to draw attention to climate change and endangered species.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 21, from 1 – 4 pm for a group art show by Heliconian Club members. As an added treat, enjoy new music celebrating the environment: Endangered Species: The Blue Racer Snake, the Right whale and the Northern Leopard Frog, composed by Kye Marshall and performed by the harp duo, Duo Novis, (Kristan Toszko and Emily Belvedere ). There will also be short talks, “The Birds and the Bees”, about our ecological crisis by Drs. Bridget Stutchbury and Sheila Colla (York University). Musical performance and talks begin at 2 pm. Admission is free.

Enjoy more of our musical offerings at a concert on Friday, October 27 at 7:30 pm: “Preserving the Environment, Celebrating Canada”, a concert of original compositions. Further information and tickets at http://heliconianclub.org/about/happenings/concerts/

Don’t miss our annual new members’ show – “Encounter” – where thirteen of our newest Heliconian Art Section members present their work. Visual delights include paintings, photographs, prints and drawings. The opening reception takes place at 35 Hazelton Avenue in the heart of Yorkville on Saturday, September 9, from 1 – 4 pm. The show runs until October 4. Free admission. To view the exhibit outside of reception hours, contact the office at 416-922-3618.

“Threshold of Magic: The Death and Life of Tom Thomson” brings to life in brilliant colour and verse the artistic genius of this Canadian icon. “Barry Brodie has accomplished something quite astonishing…he has created a compelling meditation on the creative process,” says Bob Steele of CBC Afternoon Drive about the show. Angie Littlefield, author of The Thomsons of Durham and Tom Thomson’s Fine Kettle of Friends also praises Brodie as a fellow Thomson scholar, stating: “Barry’s [work] brings together meticulous research, technical wizardry, an impressive set, and great acting…an artist finding himself never gets old, and with this play, we are indeed on the threshold of magic.”

The play begins at the moment of Tom Thomson’s accidental death while canoeing in his beloved Canoe Lake. Invited by a benevolent spirit-guardian, Ralph Waldo Emerson, to explore his life and art, Tom recalls the relationships and inspirations that contributed to his amazing artistic legacy. The play examines the intersection of art, human relationships and nature. The audience is allowed an intimate look into the character who drew from a deep appreciation and love of nature, technical excellence, and a desire to express the infinite through his art. Drawn from historical documents as well as conversations with members of the Thompson family, this work brings to life this Canadian legend.

Tuesday, July 11th at 8 p.m. $35 general admission; $25 students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. Further information call 519-977-4525.

We are pleased to present, for the first time together, our three Artists-in-Residence at the Heliconian Club this past season, representing Visual Art, Literature and Dance. They are collaborating on an inspiring event being presented on Tuesday, June 13 at 6 pm at the Club.

Anja Karisik will show a short video of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia and describe this area’s influence on her work on display in her solo art show, “A Lasting Presence”, which runs throughout June.

Marcia Walker will read a segment from her novel in progress, speak about her experience in Banff, and discuss the purpose and experience of residency, as well as how projects transform over time.

Dancer and choreographer Ashley Ann Burton will give a solo performance followed by a Q&A, and conduct a participation seated event drawn from her immersion in the work of American modern dance pioneer, Isadora Duncan.

Light refreshments will be served at the start of the evening. Donations appreciated.

“Beauty and proportion, a sense of stillness and lasting presence can be found in the most ordinary things. Whether painting vegetables, florals, or seashells, I look for the innate character of nature’s roots, structures, and relics. I breathe intimacy with the past without being overtly symbolic. My paintings are studies of balance, rhythm, and light. They are honest and quiet; a far cry from the passions and uncertainties of daily life. Still they are a part of life, or they point to how life could be: simple and undistracted.”

Anja Karisik was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Hercegovina, in 1987 and moved with her parents to Canada in 1996. She graduated from the University of Toronto, Hons. Fine Art History, cultivating her artistic spirit alongside her artist father, Ciba Karisik.

The show runs from June 1 – 28. To view by appointment or for more information, contact the General Manager at 416-922-3618.

Performers responding to the visual works are dancers Meiko Ando, Ashley Burton, and Aviva Fleising, musicians Kye Marshall and Jana Skarecky, and writers Josie DiSciascio-Andrews, Bianca Lakoseljac, and Carla Wilson. There will be two different performances beginning at 2 pm and 2:50 pm on Saturday, May 6.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

The photographs will be exhibited from May 4 – 31. To view by appointment or for more information, contact the General Manager at 416-922-3618.

The Literature Section of the Heliconian Club seeks to appoint a writer-in-residence for a one-year period for the 2017-2018 season. Eligible candidates are female authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama as well as professional editors and journalists.

The successful candidate will have complimentary membership in the Club for the year and should she wish to join the following year, the one-time initiation fee would be waived. The non-paying position provides an opportunity for a writer to connect with members of the Literature Section on a regular basis and to interact occasionally with members in the Music, Drama, Dance, Art and Humanities sections.

The writer-in-residence is expected to attend several events over the year, and to present her work to an audience at one or more readings and/or workshops. The position lasts from September 2017 to September 2018.

An application package should include a letter of intent, a résumé, a list of published works and a writing sample. Short excerpts of longer works should not exceed 2000 words. In the letter of intent the applicant should explain why she is interested in the position, of what benefit the post would be to her and how she, in turn, could benefit the Heliconian Club.

The deadline for applying is Friday, April 28th, 2017 to be sent to the Heliconian Club office: info@heliconianclub.org. Alternatively, mail it to The Literature Section, Toronto Heliconian Club, 35 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto, M5R 2E3. Finalists will be interviewed on May 30th.